NGB annual report shows gambling revenue of R84.5 billion as the 20% online tax debate heats up
The National Gambling Board's 2025/26 annual report, as summarised by gambling lawyer Garron Whitesman, shows gross gambling revenue of R84.46 billion and turnover of about R1.76 trillion. Whitesman argues the numbers should make Treasury prove its proposed extra 20% online gambling tax will work before it goes ahead.
The tax debate is about licensed South African operators, but the outcome shapes the whole online market. Treasury has said it will give its verdict in the February 2027 Budget. Industry voices warn a heavier tax could push some players towards offshore sites that pay no South African tax and offer no local consumer protection. Treasury's own aim is to cut gambling harm and raise revenue. Both claims are contested, so readers should treat any single side's figures with care. Nothing here changes the fact that no South African operator holds a licence for online casino games.
What the annual report shows
The National Gambling Board (NGB) tabled its 2025/26 annual report in October. According to a legal briefing published on Polity on 29 October by Whitesmans Attorneys, gross gambling revenue (GGR) rose from R74.5 billion to R84.46 billion over the year. Provincial gambling taxes rose from R5.8 billion to R6.44 billion.
Total turnover reached roughly R1.76 trillion, up from about R1.5 trillion the year before. The report also records 13 328 people employed in casinos and 12 230 in bookmaking, around 25 500 direct jobs across the two sectors.
The briefing says the growth came mainly from betting and bookmaking, while revenue from casinos, bingo and limited payout machines stayed broadly flat.
Turnover is not spending
The lawyer behind the briefing makes a point worth repeating. Turnover counts the total value of wagers, including winnings that are bet again. It is not the same as what players actually spend. GGR, which is wagers minus winnings paid out, is the better guide to what operators earn before tax and costs.
That distinction matters when headlines quote trillions. A large turnover figure does not mean South Africans lose that much money.
The tax argument
Whitesman writes that licensed online betting operators already pay provincial tax of roughly 6.5% of GGR plus VAT, which he puts at an effective burden of about 18% to 19%. Treasury's proposed extra 20% national tax could lift that to around 38% to 39% before corporate income tax, in his estimate.
He calls for an economic impact assessment, legal scrutiny of a national tax layered on provincial ones, and engagement with provinces and operators. Note that he writes from the industry's side, and the figures above are his calculations rather than Treasury's.
Harm and treatment figures
The report also covers responsible gambling. The briefing cites about R57.4 million in industry contributions to the National Responsible Gambling Foundation. Its toll-free line took around 1.26 million calls, many of them operational queries. Of 83 541 calls to the counselling line, about 5 443 were treatment related, and the Foundation treated 3 541 people.
Whitesman cautions against treating participation, call volumes and actual harm as the same measure. That is fair, but low treatment numbers do not show that harm is low either.
What to watch next
Treasury has said it will settle the design of its online gambling tax in the February 2027 Budget. See our earlier report on what Treasury confirmed. Until then, expect more studies and submissions from operators, unions and researchers, each with its own agenda.
If you gamble, only use operators you have checked yourself, set limits you can afford, and see our guide to FICA verification for what licensed sites ask of you.